Cooking appliance with stirring means and associated method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an appliance ( 1 ) for cooking food, the appliance comprising firstly a receptacle ( 2 ) for containing the food and secondly a blade ( 8 ) placed within the receptacle ( 2 ), said receptacle ( 2 ) and blade ( 8 ) being designed to be driven with relative rotary motion so as to stir the food in the receptacle ( 2 ), the appliance being characterized in that the blade ( 8 ) includes turnover means ( 13 ) shaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion to cause at least a fraction of the food to turn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane of the rotary motion, a majority component that is radial.

CROSS REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase of PCT/FR2007/000187 filed Feb. 1,2007, which claims priority to French Application Serial No. 06/00959filed Feb. 1, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the general technical field ofappliances for heating up or cooking food, in particular appliances forhome use, and in particular appliances for cooking food in the presenceof fat.

The present invention relates to a food cooking appliance comprisingfirstly a receptacle for containing the food and secondly a bladedisposed within the receptacle, said receptacle and blade being designedto be driven in relative rotary motion in order to stir the food in thereceptacle.

The present invention also relates to a method of cooking food in whichthe food for cooking is placed within a receptacle, a blade beinginstalled within the receptacle.

PRIOR ART

Frying food by complete immersion in a bath of oil is well known.

Such frying can be performed, for example, with the help of a householdelectric deep fryer having both a vessel for filling with oil or fat,and also heater resistance elements for heating the content of thevessel.

Known electric deep fryers thus enable a bath of oil or melted fat to beprepared at high temperature, into which bath the food for frying isplunged, e.g. with the help of a cooking basket.

Although that conventional technique of frying by immersion in a bath ofhot oil generally gives satisfaction, it nevertheless suffers fromnumerous drawbacks.

Firstly, conventional deep fryers make use of a large quantity of oil inorder to prepare the cooking bath. That involves handling difficultiesfor the user when filling the deep fryer, when moving it, and above allwhen emptying it.

The cooking bath at high temperature also constitutes a risk of burning,whether by spattering out from the vessel of the appliance, or as aresult of user clumsiness (tipping the appliance over). This risk ofburning or accident is increased by the fact that such a large quantityof oil requires a relatively lengthy pre-heating stage prior to the foodbeing put into the vessel in order to be fried. That can lead the userto forget that the bath of oil is in its pre-heating stage, with all ofthe harmful consequences that can arise from such a lack of attention.

Furthermore, those known deep fryers turn out to be relatively expensivein use since they require large quantities of oil to be purchasedregularly (at least 1.5 liters (L) to 2 L of oil are generally needed tofry 1 kilogram (kg) of pieces of fresh potato). The user is thusnaturally tempted to economize on oil by using the same cooking bathseveral times over, which is not very satisfactory from the points ofview of hygiene and of taste. Furthermore, the user might reuse thecooking bath after it has become degraded, and that can be harmful forhealth reasons. When the user gets rid of used oil, that can haveharmful consequences for the environment.

Finally, heating such a quantity of oil to high temperature leadsfirstly to smells being given off that can be particularly disagreeable,and secondly to the oil polymerizing, which can make the appliancedifficult and time consuming to clean.

In order to remedy those drawbacks, it is possible to envisage making domerely with sautéing food in a small quantity of oil that does not allowit to be fully immersed. Under such circumstances, it is neverthelessnecessary to ensure that the food is stirred continuously together withthe fat so as to coat the food in fat as uniformly as possible and so asto encourage uniform heating of the food as coated in this way, toobtain food that presents a golden and crusty appearance over its entireouter surface.

Naturally, systems are known in the field of cooking for stirring bymaking use of stirrer blades. Such systems nevertheless turn out to becompletely unsuited to mixing food in the form of solid or semi-solidpieces that are relatively fragile, and of consistency that changes ascooking progresses. Known stirrer devices are thus quite simplyincapable of performing mixing so as to ensure firstly that the food isuniformly coated in fat (when the presence of fat is required), andsecondly that the food is heated uniformly, and without beingdeteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects assigned to the invention are consequently to remedy thevarious drawbacks specified above and to propose an appliance forcooking food that makes it possible to achieve uniform cooking of thefood by stirring it while it is being cooked and in a manner that isparticularly effective.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance of construction that is particularly simple.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that makes it possible to impart mixing motion to the food ina manner that is particularly thorough and uniform.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that enables the food to be stirred effectively independentlyof the quantity of food.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance of construction that is particularly compact and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that avoids forming a block of food in which the pieces do notmove relative to one another.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that prevents the food from remaining stuck to the receptacle.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that imparts motion that is particularly simple.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a novel cookingappliance that enables french fries to be made without the food beingfully immersed in a bath of oil.

Another object of the invention seeks to propose a new method of cookingfood that enables the food to be cooked uniformly because of the foodbeing stirred in a manner that is particularly effective.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of cookingfood that enables french fries to be obtained that present organolepticqualities that are close or equivalent to those of french fries obtainedby full immersion in a bath of oil, but without making use of suchimmersion, and while using only a small quantity of fat.

The objects given to the invention are achieved with the help of anappliance for cooking food, the appliance comprising firstly areceptacle for containing the food and secondly a blade placed withinthe receptacle, said receptacle and blade being designed to be drivenwith relative rotary motion so as to stir the food in the receptacle,the appliance being characterized in that the blade includes turnovermeans shaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion tocause at least a fraction of the food to turn over in a turnoverdirection that presents, in the plane of the rotary motion, a majoritycomponent that is radial.

The objects given to the invention are also achieved with the help of amethod of cooking food in which the food for cooking are placed within areceptacle, a blade being installed within the receptacle, said methodbeing characterized it comprises at least a step i) in which, byestablishing relative rotation between the blade and the receptacle, atleast a fraction of said food is caused to turn over in a turnoverdirection that presents, in the plane of the rotary motion, a majoritycomponent that is radial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention appear in greater detailin the following description made with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view looking down, showing the inside of a cookingappliance constituting a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the FIG. 1 appliance;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a measuring cup forming part of theappliance shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from below showing the lid of theappliance shown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the blade of the appliance shown inFIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 7 is a side view in perspective showing a scraper member designedto be releasably mounted on the blade shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the receptacle of the applianceshown in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the blade and the scraper member ofFIGS. 6 and 7, the scraper member being mounted on the blade;

FIG. 10 is a perspective looking down, showing the FIG. 9 assemblycomprising the blade and the scraper member;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view seen from below, showing the blade andscraper member assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the scraper member of FIGS. 7, 9,10, and 11, seen from its side opposite to that visible in FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view seen looking downwards, showing thereceptacle, the blade, and the scraper member of the appliance shown inthe above figures;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view looking downwards, showing the receptacleand the blade of a cooking appliance constituting a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the receptacle of a cookingappliance of the invention fitted with an obstacle for coming intocontact with food and preventing pieces of food accumulating against theblade and not moving relative to one another;

FIG. 16 is a view on a larger scale showing a detail of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of the blade shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the FIG. 17 blade.

BEST MANNER OF PERFORMING THE INVENTION

The cooking appliance 1 shown in the figures is preferably a householdappliance, i.e. it is specifically designed and dimensioned for homeuse. Nevertheless, the invention is not restricted to a family context,and it applies equally to semi-professional or professional appliances,and even to industrial installations of the kind used in the foodbusiness.

The appliance 1 shown in the figures is preferably for cookingparticulate elements, that are in the form of solid or semi-solidpieces, and that are preferably substantially polyhedral in shape, suchas potato batons (e.g. for the purpose of obtaining french fries), orsuch as diced vegetables (e.g. for making pan-fried vegetables).

The appliance 1 is preferably for cooking food in the presence of fat,but cooking without added external fat (other than that contained in thefood itself), and even in the absence of any external cooking fluid,comes fully within the ambit of the invention.

The appliance shown in the figures is designed more particularly eitherto make french fries from potato batons, or else to pan-fry vegetablesfrom diced vegetables. The potatoes or vegetables may be cut into piecesmanually by the user, or they may be purchased ready-preparedcommercially, either fresh or deep frozen. Nevertheless, the inventionis not limited specifically to cooking fried potatoes or pan-friedvegetables. Frying, sautéing, roasting, or more generally heating up anyother type of food (including for example meat, fish, shellfish, andfruit) come within the ambit of the invention.

The appliance of the invention comprises a receptacle 2 for containingfood (not shown). The receptacle 2 thus forms receiver means designed toaccommodate therein food for cooking. Preferably, the receptacle 2 isalso designed to accommodate and contain a cooking medium, e.g. inliquid or semi-liquid form, such as fat (oil, butter, etc.). For thispurpose, the receptacle 2 is preferably not perforated, i.e. it issubstantially solid so as to avoid any fat leaking out therefrom.

Preferably, and as can be seen in the figures, the receptacle 2 has abottom 2A, preferably substantially in the form of a disk having an axisof symmetry X-X′. From the bottom 2A there rises a side wall 2B betweena bottom edge connected to the bottom 2A and a free top edge 2C defininga top opening enabling food to be inserted into the receptacle 2.

The receptacle 2 is thus preferably circularly symmetrical about theaxis X-X′.

Advantageously, the appliance 1 has a main body 3 within which thereceptacle 2 is mounted, preferably releasably. Preferably, and as shownin particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body 3 comprises a base 3A forconstituting the stand of the appliance 1, and shaped for this purposeso as to rest in stable manner on a support or a plane surface.

The base 3A thus defines a bearing face for coming into contact withsaid support or plane surface, and an opposite face for receiving thereceptacle 2, e.g. having support studs 4 projecting from the insideface of the base 3A, and on which the receptacle 2 is designed to rest.From the base 3A and at its periphery, there rises a side skirt 3B, e.g.made of a metal or of a plastics material, and forming the outer casingof the appliance 1. Advantageously, the main body 3 is also providedwith a lid 3C mounted to move between firstly a closed position (shownin FIG. 3) in which the lid 3C co-operates with the base 3A and theskirt 3B to form a substantially closed enclosure around the food to becooked, and secondly an open position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), allowingfood for cooking to be inserted into the receptacle 2 inside the mainbody 3. In other words, when the lid 3 is in the closed position, themain body 3 forms a closed vessel, i.e. a vessel that is substantiallyhermetically sealed, thus enabling cooking to take place in a closedatmosphere. The main body 3 can be closed in substantially sealedmanner, e.g. by means of sealing gaskets at the interface between theskirt 3B and the lid 3C. As shown in the figures, the lid 3C isadvantageously mounted to pivot relative to the skirt 3B, e.g. via ahinge 5 possibly provided with a torsion spring so that the openposition of the lid 3C is also a stable return position. Advantageously,the lid 3C is removably mounted relative to the hinge 5, so as to makeit easier to clean.

The food contained in the receptacle 2 can be heated by any knowninternal heater means (i.e. integrated in the appliance 1), or externalheater means (i.e. independent of the appliance 1).

Advantageously, the appliance 1 includes main heater means 3 mounted onthe main body 3 and thus integrated in the appliance 1, which mainheater means are designed to generate a flow of hot air directed towardsthe inside of the receptacle 2. The term “main heater means” designatesheater means that alone suffice to deliver at least the main part of theheat that enables cooking to take place. Preferably, the main heatermeans are designed and arranged to deliver all of said required heat.

Advantageously, the main heater means include a fan generating a flow ofair by sucking air into the main body 3 via at least one air inlet 30(visible in FIG. 2), preferably formed to one side of the receptacle 2,and by delivering said air, once heated, via a delivery channel 31 thatopens out above and towards the food present in the receptacle 2.Advantageously, the delivery channel 31 comprises two ducts 31A, 31Bembedded in the lid 3C, the lid being provided for this purpose with twoorifices 32A, 32B complementary to said ducts 31A, 31B. The lid 3C isthus preferably releasably engaged via its orifices 32A, 32B on theducts 31A, 31B, themselves integrated in the hinge 5.

In order to make it easier to extract and replace the receptacle 2within the main body 3, the appliance 1 preferably includes a handle 6designed to be secured to the receptacle 2, either permanently orreleasably. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the handle 6Advantageously comprises both a clamp 7 comprising two jaws 7A, 7B forclamping onto the side wall 2B of the receptacle 2 in order to connectthe handle 6 to the receptacle 2, and also a grip member 6A.

The handle 6 is advantageously designed to pass from a handlingconfiguration (not shown) in which the grip member 6A extendssubstantially perpendicularly to the side wall 2B, to a storageconfiguration in which the grip member 6A extends along the side wall 2B(cf. FIG. 2).

As shown in the figures, the appliance 1 also includes a blade 8disposed within the receptacle 2, i.e. in the inside volume that is toaccommodate the food for cooking, and that is defined by the bottom 2Aand the side wall 2B. The receptacle 2 and the blade 8 are designed tobe driven with relative rotary motion so as to stir the food in thereceptacle 2.

In other words, the following configurations come fully within the ambitof the invention:

-   -   the receptacle 2 is stationary, while the blade 8 turns inside        the receptacle 2, relative to the receptacle;    -   the blade 8 is stationary while the receptacle 2 turns relative        to the blade 8; and    -   both the receptacle 2 and the blade 8 turn, but at different        rotational velocities.

Under the effect of this relative rotary motion, the food is set intomotion within the receptacle 2 and thus interacts with the blade 8,thereby stirring the food within the receptacle 2.

In the variants shown in the figures, and that correspond to a preferredembodiment of the invention, the receptacle 2 is mounted stationarywithin the main body 3, while the blade 8 is mounted to move in rotationrelative to the main body 3 and to the receptacle 2.

In other words, in this preferred embodiment, the receptacle 2 isstationary while the blade 8 turns within the receptacle 2. Preferably,in order to achieve this relative movement of the receptacle 2 and theblade 8, drive means (not shown), such as an electric motor, aredisposed within the base 3A. The drive means rotate a shaft 10 (visiblein FIG. 2). An orifice 11 is formed substantially in the center of thebottom 2A of the receptacle 2 in order to allow the shaft 10 to passthrough the bottom 2A. The blade 8 advantageously comprises a hub 12designed to be fitted, preferably releasably, to the shaft 10 so thatthe shaft 10 thus rotates the blade 8 within the receptacle 2, thereceptacle remaining stationary. In this preferred embodiment shown inthe figures, the hub 12 is disposed substantially coaxially about theaxis of symmetry X-X′ of the receptacle 2 and of the shaft 10, such thatthe axis of rotation of the blade 8 preferably coincides with the axisof symmetry X-X′ of the receptacle 2.

In the invention, the blade 8 includes turnover means 13 shaped to act,under the effect of the relative rotary motion, to turn over at leastsome of the food present in a turnover direction D that presents, on theplane of the rotary motion, a majority component that is radial. Theplane of the rotary motion is the plane perpendicular to the axis ofrotation X-X′; in the embodiments shown in the figures, it correspondsto the horizontal plane.

In other words, the turnover means 13 constitute lateral turnover meansthat serve to turn over food in a direction that extends substantiallytransversely relative to the travel direction of the blade 8 relative tothe receptacle 2. The turnover direction D may coincide with the radialdirection, which is naturally defined relative to the rotary motion andto the axis of rotation X-X′. Under such circumstances, the direction Dpresents a single component, which component is radial. However, andmore generally, the direction D presents not only a main component thatis radial, but also a minority component that is tangential, such thatthe movement of the food takes place not in a direction that is purelyradial, but in a direction that is essentially radial. Preferably, theturnover means 13 are shaped to act under the effect of the relativerotary motion to turn over said fraction of the food in a turnoverdirection D that forms relative to the radial direction an angle that isless than or equal to 60°, and preferably less than or equal to 30°.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, on which the description belowconcentrates, and that corresponds to preferred manner of implementingthe invention, the turnover means 13 are advantageously shaped to actunder the effect of the relative rotary motion to turn over at least afraction of the food substantially towards the center of the receptacle2. In the examples shown in the figures, the center of the receptacle 2is defined substantially by the axis of symmetry X-X′. Under suchcircumstances, the turnover means 13 thus serve to turn the food overtowards the axis X-X′.

The turnover means 13 are designed to interact with at least a fractionof the food, under the effect of the relative rotary motion, so as toturn said food over. Thus, when the receptacle 2 and the blade 8 aredriven with relative rotary motion, zones of the blade 8 forming part ofthe turnover means 13 become “active” zones acting on the food, i.e.zones capable of exerting force on the food, which force could alsomerely be a reaction force. It will thus be understood that in themeaning of the invention, the turnover means 13 form preferably astirring surface, i.e. a surface that acts directly on the food in orderto stir it.

Because of the presence of the turnover means 13, and because of thespecific shape thereof within the receptacle 2, the food present withinthe receptacle 2 is returned towards the center of the receptacle 2 onencountering the turnover means 13, which means turn together with theblade 8 within the receptacle 2. Furthermore, the movement of the foodtowards the center of the receptacle 2 is a turnover movement, i.e. amovement in which each piece of food, while moving towards the center ofthe receptacle 2 in direction D, is substantially simultaneouslysubjected to rotation, and in particular rotation about its own axis,preferably about an axis that is substantially parallel to the directionin which the blade 8 is moving relative to the receptacle 2.

In other words, the turnover means 13 are specifically designed to causepieces of food to be turned upside-down sideways in controlled mannertowards the center of the receptacle 2. This turning over thus serves inparticular to change the orientation of a given piece of food relativeto the bottom 2A of the receptacle 2 during the cooking cycle, thusencouraging cooking to be uniform over all of the faces of each piece offood. The turnover means 13 contributes to forming means for turningpieces of food upside-down. For this purpose, the shape of the turnovermeans 13 and the speed of relative rotation between the receptacle 2 andthe blade 8 are selected so as to enable the food to be turned overradially in the desired manner, and in particular so as to avoid anybreaking up of pieces of food or any spattering thereof.

Thus, the turnover means 13 serve in substantially simultaneous mannerto move the food towards the center of the receptacle 2 and to turnpieces of food upside-down, thereby serving in particular to change theorientation of each piece of food relative to its surroundings. Thisspecific motion imparted to the pieces of food enables the pieces offood to be well mixed, but without being damaged.

This optimized mixing serves in particular, when fat has been insertedinto the receptacle 2 together with the food, to encourage substantiallyuniform coating of the food in said fat.

This technical provision thus turns out to be particularly advantageouswhen the appliance 1 of the invention constitutes a dry fryer. The term“dry frying” is used herein to mean a method of cooking food withoutimmersing it in a bath of oil or fat, regardless of whether suchimmersion is temporary or continuous throughout the cooking cycle. Onthe contrary, the term “dry frying” means that although the food isindeed “wetted” by a cooking medium (e.g. oil), it is not plunged orsoaked in said medium.

In this respect, the principle on which a dry fryer operates is quitedifferent from that of a conventional fryer using a bath of oil.

In the preferred circumstance where the appliance 1 is designed tooperate as a dry fryer, the receptacle 2 and the blade 8 then form meansfor automatically coating the food in a film of fat, preferably a filmthat is substantially uniform, by mixing said food with the fat.

These means for automatically coating the food in fat turn out to beparticularly effective when the blade 8 is provided, as in the presentinvention, with turnover means 13 encouraging the food to be movetowards (or away from) the center, in association with the food beingturned about their own axes.

Preferably, the blade 8 is arranged to stir food that is presented inthe form of a plurality of pieces of substantially solid consistency andof unit dimension (or caliber) that is of the same order as that of afrench fry. In order to avoid any damage to the pieces of food, theblade 8 preferably presents shapes that are rounded, not sharp, enablingthe pieces of food to escape before they become jammed and thus avoidingany puncturing or flattening of the pieces of food.

Advantageously, the turnover means 13 have a turnover surface 13A alongwhich said fraction of the food tends to be moved under the effect ofthe relative rotary motion, said turnover surface 13A presenting an areathat decreases going rearwards relative to the travel direction of theblade 8 relative to the receptacle 2, so as to cause said fraction ofthe food to turn over.

In other words, the turnover surface 13A tapers from upstream todownstream relative to the travel direction of the food against andalong said surface 13A, with the taper being sufficient to cause thefood to lose support from the surface 13A and consequently to cause saidfood to turn over.

As shown in particular in FIGS. 17 and 18, the turnover surface 13A ispreferably substantially plane in shape, and extends between an upstreamedge 27 of width A and a downstream edge 28 of width B, the width Abeing greater than the width B. The upstream edge 27 corresponds to theleading edge of the turnover surface 13, i.e. the zone that is the firstunder the effect of the relative rotary motion to engage the food so asto cause it to move along the surface 13A substantially towards itsdownstream edge 28. The width L of the turnover surface 13Aadvantageously varies in regular and progressive manner between themagnitudes A and B.

Thus, as it travels along the turnover surface 13A, which surface ispreferably situated at a distance from the bottom 2A of the receptacle2, the food becomes progressively confronted with a lack of support dueto the decrease in the width L of the surface 13A, thus leading finallyto the food being tipped over sideways and turned over towards thecenter of the bottom 2A of the receptacle 2A, under the effect ofgravity. As shown in the figures, the turnover surface 13A isadvantageously positioned so as to be sufficiently close to the sidewall 2B of the receptacle 2 to prevent the food from turning towards theperiphery of the appliance, thereby causing the food to turn over solelytowards the center of the appliance.

Advantageously, the blade 8 also includes lifter means 130 oriented toexert a thrust force with a vertical component on the food in thedirection of rotary motion.

Advantageously, the lifter means 130 comprise a lifter surface 13B thatslopes rearwards relative to the travel direction of the blade 8relative to the receptacle 2 so as to provide said lifting of at least afraction of the food under the effect of the relative rotary motion.

Preferably, and as shown in the figures, the turnover surface 13A andthe lifter surface 13B are substantially the same, i.e. a single commonsurface 13A, 13B performs both of the lifting and the turning overfunctions.

As shown in the Figures, the lifter surface 13B advantageously forms aninclined slope for lifting the pieces of food under the effect of therelative rotary motion, by a ramp effect. The lifter surface 13B thusadvantageously forms means for taking the food away from the bottom 2Aof the receptacle 2, thereby increasing the vertical distance betweenthe food being subjected to the action of said lifter surface 13B andthe bottom 2A. The lifter surface 13B forms an obtuse angle β, i.e. anangle of more than 90°, relative to the plane that contains the bottom2A (or relative to a plane parallel thereto). Preferably, the angle βlies substantially in the range 100° to 160°. It has been found that anangle β lying in the range 120° to 140°, and preferably substantiallyequal to 130° makes it possible to optimize the desired food-liftingfunction.

Advantageously, the top of the lifter surface 13B, which corresponds toan edge 28 (cf. FIG. 18), is situated at a height that is lower than theheight of the free edge 20C of the receptacle so as to avoid dirtyingthe lid 3C while the appliance is in operation.

In order to encourage the food to turn over, it is advantageous toprovide a lifter surface 13B of height H (cf. FIG. 17) between its highpoint and its low point, i.e. between its upstream edge 27 and itsdownstream edge 28, that lies substantially in the range 0.25 times to0.9 times the length of a piece of food, when the pieces of food areelongate in shape (as applies to french fries). For example, the heightH may lie in the range about 25 millimeters (mm) to 75 mm.

Preferably, the leading edge of the lifter surface 13B, which in theexample shown in the figures corresponds to the leading edge of theturnover surface 13A, i.e. the upstream edge 27, is oriented relative tothe relative movement between the blade 8 and the receptacle 2 so as todirect the food substantially towards the inside of the receptacle. Forthis purpose, the upstream edge 27 forms, relative to the radialdirection, a reentrant angle θ, e.g. of the order of a few degrees, e.g.lying in the range 1° to 5°, and preferably equal to 3°. This technicalprovision encourages “fluid” mixing of the food, without food becomingjammed between the lifter/turnover surface 131, 13B and the side wall 2Bof the receptacle 2.

Advantageously, and as shown in the figures, the turnover means 13 andthe lifter means 130 are arranged relative to each other so as to actunder the effect of the relative rotary motion, to lift at least afraction of the food and then turn said fraction over in said turnoverdirection D presenting a majority radial component in the plane ofrotation. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the turnover means 13and the lifter means 130 are arranged relative to each other so as toact under the effect of the relative rotary motion, to lift at least afraction of the food and then turn said fraction substantially towardsthe center of the receptacle 2. In other words, the single surfaceconstituting both the lifter surface 13B and the turnover surface 13A isshaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion, firstly tolift the food by virtue of its sloping ramp shape, and then to deprivethe food progressively of support so as to cause it to turn over, as aresult of the progressive decrease in width L.

Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to means enabling the food tobe subjected to such sequential movement. For example, it is entirelypossible within the ambit of the invention to envisage the turnovermeans 13 and the lifter means 130 being arranged relative to each otherin such a manner as to act under the effect of the relative rotarymotion and substantially simultaneously to lift at least a fraction ofsaid food and to turn over said fraction in said turnover direction Dthat presents a majority component that is radial, i.e. substantiallytowards the center of the receptacle 2, for example. Under suchcircumstances, lifting and turning over thus take place substantiallysimultaneously. Such combined motion may be obtained, for example, withthe help of a single lifter and turnover surface that presents a twistedshape serving to lift and simultaneously turn over the pieces of food.

It is also possible, without thereby going beyond the ambit of theinvention, to envisage the lifter surface 13A and the turnover surface13B not being the same surface, as in the examples shown in the figures,but being surfaces that are substantially distinct. For example, it ispossible to envisage implementing a sloping lifter surface ofsubstantially constant width L, that is extended downstream by asubstantially horizontal turnover surface that is of a width thatdecreases progressively going rearwards, relative to the direction ofmovement of the blade 8 relative to the receptacle 2. In such aconfiguration, the food is thus initially lifted up to the turnoversurface by the lifter surface, and it is then turned over as itprogresses along the horizontal turnover surface of supporting area thatdecreases going downstream. In such circumstances, the turnover surfaceis thus situated downstream from the lifter surface from the point ofview of the stream of food striking the blade 8.

Advantageously, the blade 8 has a lateral deflector 9 forming a slopeextending from the turnover means 13 along said turnover direction D, sothat said fraction of the food being turned over under the effect of theturnover means 13 turns over along said lateral deflector 9. In theembodiments shown in the figures, the lateral deflector 9 forms a slopethat extends from the turnover means 13 towards the center of thereceptacle 2.

Preferably, and as shown in the figures, the lateral deflector 9comprises at least one sloping surface for accompanying the pieces offood as they turn over. In the elements shown in the figures, thesloping surface preferably extends substantially facing the center ofthe receptacle 2 so as to direct the food gently towards the inside andtowards the bottom 2A of the receptacle 2, in the wake of the blade 8.The lateral deflector 9 thus preferably forms a sloping face against andover which the food drops and turns over sideways, e.g. towards thecenter of the receptacle 2. The sloping lateral deflection surfacepreferably forms an obtuse angle α, i.e. an angle of greater than 90°,relative to the plane containing the bottom 2A. Preferably, the angle αlies in the range 100° to 140°. It has also been found that an angle αlying in the range 128° to 134°, and preferably equal to 132° serves tooptimize the desired phenomenon of mixing the food.

As shown in the figures, the lateral deflector 9 and thelifter-and-turnover means 13, 130 are joined via a common edge 14. Thelateral deflector 9, the lifter means 130, and the turnover means 13thus form a single piece having two facets, one of the facetscorresponding to the lifter and turnover surfaces 13B and 13A, while theother facet corresponds to the lateral deflector 9.

Advantageously, and as shown in the figures, the turnover means 13 andthe lifter means 130 are positioned substantially towards the peripheryof the receptacle 2, preferably in the immediate proximity of the sidewall 2B of the receptacle 2, the turnover means 13 being shaped to actunder the effect of the relative rotary motion, to turn said fraction ofthe food over substantially towards the center of the receptacle 2.

Advantageously, the blade 8 also includes pusher means 15 for pushingthe food towards the turnover means 13, under the effect of the relativerotary motion. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the means 15 arepreferably designed to push the food towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2. In the examples shown in the figures, the means 15 areshaped to move the food centrifugally towards the side wall 2B so as todirect the food towards the lifter and turnover means 130, 13.

Preferably, the means 15 for pushing the food towards the turnover means13 comprise a front deflector 16 oriented to exert a thrust force on thefood in the direction of rotary motion, i.e. along a circular patharound the axis X-X′ in the variants shown in the figures. In order toencourage the centrifugal movement effect on the food, the frontdeflector 16 advantageously presents a height in the vertical directionas defined by the axis X-X′ that is sufficient substantially to preventthe food from passing thereover. Preferably, and as shown in thefigures, the projection of the front deflector 16 onto a horizontalplane (perpendicular to the axis X-X′), presents a profile that issubstantially curved rearwards relative to the direction 17 of movementof the blade 8 relative to the receptacle 2. In other words, the frontdeflector 16 presents a convex leading edge for bringing the foodtowards the periphery of the receptacle 2. The front deflector 16preferably presents a leading edge that tapers towards the turnovermeans 13, i.e., in the examples shown in the figures, a profile taperingrearwards (relative to the direction of rotation of the blade 8 relativeto the receptacle 2) and towards the periphery of the receptacle 2, e.g.having a volute shape as can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 18.The rearward curvature of the front deflector 16 is thus designedfirstly to encourage the food to move centrifugally along the deflector16 when the deflector, as rotated together with the blade 8, strikes thefood, and also to avoid creating a clump of food turning as a whole withthe blade 8 following a path that is substantially purely circular,without any centrifugal movement.

In a vertical plane, the front deflector 16 preferably presents aprofile that is curved upwards and rearwards relative to the directionof rotation of the blade 8 relative to the receptacle 2. This serves, inparticular when a large quantity of food is present in the receptacle 2,to encourage effective and fluid mixing of the food.

Advantageously, the means 15 for pushing the food towards the peripheryof the receptacle 2 are situated, relative to the direction 17 ofmovement of the blade 8, in front of the turnover means 13 and thelifter means 130. In other words, the front deflector 16 is situatedupstream from the turnover means 13 and the lifter means 130 relative tothe flow direction of the food coming into collision with the blade 8(as seen from the blade), when the blade 8 moves in rotation through thefood within the receptacle 2.

The food is thus initially subjected to the centrifugal deflectionaction of the front deflector 16, which deflects the food towards theperiphery of the receptacle 2 until it encounters the lifter surface 130that raises it, after which it is turned over towards the center of thereceptacle 2 along the lateral deflector 9. This very particular motionspecific to the invention ensures excellent mixing of the food,guaranteeing cooking that is uniform with the food being coveredsubstantially uniformly by any cooking medium, such as fat (e.g. oil).

Advantageously, the blade 8 has a passage 200 for passing the food,which passage is provided between the means 15 for pushing the food andthe turnover means 13. In other words, this passage 200 corresponds to azone of the blade 8 where it is easier for the food to pass over theblade 8, given in particular the low height of the blade 8 in this zone.

Preferably, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 17, the means 15for pushing the food and the turnover means 13 provide between them anotch that corresponds to said passage 200 and that presents, whenprojected onto a vertical plane, a substantially V-shape, the two limbsof the V-shape corresponding respectively to the lateral deflector 9 andto the top edge 16A of the front deflector 16.

The point where the limbs of the V-shape join is preferably situatedclose to the lifter and turnover means 130, 13, thus encouraging theturning over of the food while concentrating a maximum amount of foodtowards said lifter and turnover means 130, 13. For example, thejunction point between the limbs of the V-shape is situatedsubstantially in the range ⅗ths to ⅘ths of the distance (correspondingto the “radius” of the blade) between the ends of the blade 8 in ahorizontal plane, going from the center towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2.

Advantageously, the blade 8 has at least a first arm 18 extending froman inner first end 18A to an outer first end 18B, the inner first end18A being secured to the hub 12, while the outer first end 18B issecured to the turnover means 13, and preferably also to the liftermeans 130. The first arm 18 thus transmits the rotary motion imparted tothe hub 12 by the shaft 10 to the lifter means 130 and to the turnovermeans 13.

Advantageously, the means 15 for pushing the food towards the peripheryof the receptacle 2 are secured to the first arm 18, and are interposedbetween said inner and outer first ends 18A and 18B. The means 15 arepreferably directly integrated in the first arm 18, and are madeintegrally therewith. By means of this technical provision, whichcorresponds to the first variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, 17,and 18, the blade 8 is particularly simple and compact in constructionwith a single arm 18 sufficing to perform the essential part of thefunctions that lead to good stirring.

The blade 8 is thus in the form of a hub 12 from which there extends anarm 18 in the form of a volute, provided at its end with a raised finhaving two facets that form the lifter means 130, the turnover means 13,and the lateral deflector 9.

The blade 8 as designed in this way is found to be particularly easy,quick, and inexpensive to fabricate, for example by injection molding aplastics material.

In a second embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, the blade 8 may neverthelessinclude a second arm 19 extending between an inner second end 19A and anouter second end 19B, the inner second end 19A being secured to the hub12 while the means 15 for pushing the food towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2 are secured to the second arm 19 and are interposed betweensaid inner second end 19A and outer second ends 19B. In this embodimentas shown in FIG. 14, the blade 8 thus has at least two distinct arms 18,19, the second arm 19 being located ahead of the first arm 18 relativeto the direction 17 of rotation of the blade 8. The first arm 19carrying the means 15 for pushing food towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2 thus enables food to be taken towards the periphery in sucha manner that the food is subsequently subjected to the lifting andturning-over actions as performed respectively by the lifter means 130and the turnover means 13.

Advantageously, the appliance 1 includes an obstacle 20, and twodistinct embodiments thereof are shown respectively in firstly in FIG.13 and secondly in FIGS. 15 and 16. The obstacle 20 is mounted withinthe appliance 1 so that the blade 8 is movable relative to the obstacle20 under the effect of the relative rotary motion, said obstacle 20being positioned to come into contact with at least some of the food, soas to prevent a clump of food accumulating against the blade 8, thepieces in the clump not moving significantly relative to one another. Inother words, the obstacle 20 is placed substantially on the pathfollowed by the pieces of food pushed by the blade 8 under the effect ofthe relative rotary motion, so as to prevent a compact clump of foodmoving as a whole and no longer being mixed. The blade 8 is thus movablerelative to an obstacle 20 capable of occupying a position close to theturnover means 13 under the effect of the rotary motion of the blade 8relative to the receptacle 2. The obstacle 20 thus blocks movement of afraction of the food and consequently facilitates the action of theturnover means 13.

Advantageously, and as shown in particular in FIG. 13, the obstacle 20is secured to the side wall 2B, inside the receptacle 2. In preferredmanner, the obstacle 20 is secured to and more preferably forms anintegral part of the handle 6, and more precisely it projects from thesecond jaw 7B of said handle 6. The obstacle 20 thus projects over athickness E from the side wall 2B towards the inside of the receptacle2. Clearance J that is at least slightly greater than the thickness E isprovided between the side wall 2B and the blade 8, so as to allow theblade to turn freely without coming into abutment against the obstacle20.

Using the particular profile of the blade 8 of the invention, it hasbeen found that an obstacle 20 that projects only very slightly from theside wall 2B is sufficient for preventing any compact movement of thefood. More precisely, it has been found in the context of the inventionthat an obstacle 20 presenting a thickness E that is substantially lessthan the characteristic dimension of the mean thickness of a piece offood enables the desired results to be obtained by preventing anyjamming of food against the obstacle 20. Preferably, the thickness E issubstantially equal to half the characteristic dimension of the meanthickness of a piece of food. When the appliance 1 is used for cookingfrench fries, the thickness E is preferably less than the mean thicknessof a french fry, so as to avoid french fries becoming jammed behind theobstacle 20 without it being possible for the blade 8 to reach them inorder to dislodge them. For example, the thickness E may besubstantially less than 5 mm, and more preferably lies in the range 2 mmto 3 mm. This range of dimensions affords an excellent compromisebetween the obstacle function that is to prevent food from revolving inconcert with the blade 8, and the anti-jamming function.

In order to further enhance the anti-jamming, the obstacle 20 which ispreferably in the form of a rectilinear finger 20A, extendssubstantially vertically along the side wall 2B (cf. FIGS. 15 and 16),and preferably presents edges that are rounded, thereby enabling food toescape smoothly, without being damaged.

Advantageously, the appliance 1 also includes a scraper member 21 forsweeping over the side wall 2B under the effect of the relative rotarymotion in order to detach any pieces of food that might have stuck tosaid side wall 2B. Such a scraper member is found to be particularlyadvantageous when cooking is performed substantially in the absence ofany fat, e.g. when cooking pieces of vegetables. In contrast, thescraper member 21 is not absolutely necessary, or is even of no use,when the food comprises pieces of potato that are to become frenchfries.

In preferred manner, the scraper member 21 is releasably mounted on theblade 8.

For example, and as shown in the figures, the member 21 advantageouslyincludes a tab 21A carrying fastener means 21B, e.g. formed byengagement orifices designed to co-operate with complementary fastenermeans carried by the blade 8.

The tab 21A is preferably designed to become engaged towards the outerfirst end 18B of the first arm 18.

Advantageously, the tab 21A carries a flexible scraper flap 21C, e.g.made of elastomer material. The scraper flap 21C presents an outer edgefor fitting closely against and sweeping the inside of the side wall 2Bwhen the blade 8 is rotating. In order to stabilize the tab 21A, it isprovided with a fin 21D that comes to bear against the bottom 2A, so asto oppose any forces tending to separate the tab 21A from the blade 8 asexerted by the side wall 2B on the flap 21C.

The description above of variants shown in the figures relates to anappliance 1 in which the turnover means 13 are shaped to cause the foodto turn over towards the center, and for this purpose the turnover meansare preferably situated towards the periphery of the receptacle 2.Nevertheless, without going beyond the ambit of the invention, it isentirely possible to envisage the turnover means 13 being shaped so asto turn food over towards the periphery of the receptacle 2. Theinvention thus also relates to a food cooking appliance 1 comprisingfirstly a receptacle 2 that is to contain the food and secondly a blade8 disposed within the receptacle 2, said receptacle 2 and blade 8 beingdesigned to present relative rotary motion in order to stir food withinthe receptacle 2, the blade 8 having turnover means shaped to act underthe effect of the relative rotary motion, to cause at least a fractionof the food to turn over substantially towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2. Under such circumstances (not shown), the turnover meanspreferably extend close to the center of the receptacle 2. Preferably,as in the variants shown in the figures, the blade 8 has lifter meansshaped to act under the effect of the rotary motion to lift at least afraction of the food, the lifter means themselves also being disposedclose to the center of the receptacle 2. The turnover means and thelifter means are preferably arranged relative to each other so as to actunder the effect of the relative rotary motion to lift at least afraction of the food and then to turn said fraction over substantiallytowards the periphery of the receptacle 2. Under such circumstances, itis also advantageous to provide means for pushing the food towards thecenter of the receptacle 2, e.g. means presenting a leading edge that isconcave.

In other words, in this variant embodiment (not shown in the figures), aconfiguration is envisaged that is strictly the inverse of that of thevariants shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, i.e. the food is initially brought fromthe periphery towards the center, then it is lifted and substantiallyturned over towards the periphery of the receptacle. This variantembodiment can thus be considered as being “symmetrical” to the variantembodiments shown in the figures.

To sum up, the invention relates in general terms to a food cookingappliance comprising firstly a receptacle 2 that is to contain food, andsecondly a blade 8 disposed within the receptacle 2, said receptacle 2and blade 8 being designed to present relative rotary motion so as tostir the food within the receptacle 2, the blade 8 having turnover means13 shaped to act under the effect of the relative rotary motion to turnover at least a fraction of the food laterally, i.e. to move the foodwith a direction that is for the most part and preferably essentiallyradial, in combination with causing pieces of food to turn about theirown axes that are substantially perpendicular to said movementdirection.

The operation of the variant embodiments shown in the figures isdescribed below in greater detail, using by way of example thepreparation of french fries from elongate pieces cut from potatoes.

The user begins by lifting the lid 3C giving access to the inside of themain body 3. The user then inserts the receptacle 2 into the main body 3by placing said receptacle 2 on the support studs 4. The shaft 10 thenprojects through the orifice 11 in the bottom 2A. The user then puts theblade 8 onto the shaft 10, and more precisely engages the hub 12 of theblade 8 on the shaft 10.

Thereafter, the user pours pieces of potato into the receptacle 2,together with a small quantity of oil. The term “small quantity” is usedherein to mean a quantity of oil that suffices to coat the pieces ofpotato substantially uniformly, as contrasted with a bath of oil inwhich the pieces of potato would be completely immersed. In order tomake it easier to measure out a small quantity of oil, the appliance 1may also include a measuring cup 22 designed to be releasably fastenedon the lid 3C, e.g. and as shown with the help of a bayonet fastenersystem. Advantageously, the measuring cup 22 can be used as a handle formanipulating the lid 3C when secured thereto.

Advantageously, an orifice 23 may also be provided through the lid 3Cfor feeding the receptacle 2 with oil. Under such circumstances, oil isfed in when the lid 3C is closed.

Once the food and the fat have been placed within the receptacle 2, andthe lid has been closed, the user starts a cooking cycle by pressing ona control button 24 placed on the main body 3.

This has the effect of setting the shaft 10 into rotation, in turndriving the blade 8 in rotation in the direction 17 around the axisX-X′. Under the effect of the blade 8 being set into rotation, the frontdeflector 16 pushes the food towards the periphery of the receptacle 2,towards the lifter surface 13B which in this example coincides with theturnover surface 13A. The lifter surface 13B then lifts the food untilit is no longer supported by the surface 13A, given its reduction inwidth L. The food then turns over sideways along the lateral deflector 9towards the center of the receptacle 2. This specific motion imparted tothe pieces of potato ensures excellent mixing thereof with the fat sothat the pieces of potato can thus be coated in substantially uniformmanner with fat.

While being subjected to this mixing, the pieces of potato are alsosubjected to a flow of hot air coming from the ducts 31A, 31B placed inthe hinge 5 and emerging from the lid 3C. The stirring of the food withthe help of the blade 8 thus enables the pieces of potato to be cookeduniformly, which pieces are subjected in uniform manner to the flow ofhot air.

While cooking is taking place, the pieces of potato pass in successionthrough the following three stages of consistency:

-   -   raw potato consistency, i.e. they are still moist, sticky, firm,        rigid, and not fatty;    -   soft consistency of steamed potato, i.e. soft, flexible,        slippery, and fragile; and    -   fried potato consistency, i.e. rigid, soft center, with an outer        crust that is fatty and slippery.

The specific stirring technique of the invention ensures excellentmixing of the pieces of potato in all stages of consistency throughwhich they pass, and does so in a manner that is particularly effective.

At the end of the cooking cycle, the user thus has pieces of potato thatpresent all of the visual and taste qualities of french fries, but thatpresent a fat content that is less than that of conventional cooking byimmersion in a bath of oil.

The user then need only extract the receptacle 2 containing the frenchfries by making use of the handle 6 provided for this purpose.

It should be observed that the stirring technique of the inventionensures excellent mixing independently of the quantity of food presentin the receptacle. Thus, when there is a large quantity of food, some ofthe food will pass over the top edge 16A of the front deflector 16 whilethe remainder of the food is directed towards the periphery of thereceptacle where it is subsequently lifted by the lifter means 130 andthen turned over by the turnover means 13.

When there is only a small quantity of food, all of the food will bedirected via the front deflector 16 towards the periphery of thereceptacle 2 to be handled by the lifter means 130 and the turnovermeans 13. It has also been found that providing an undulating profilefor the top edge 16A of the front deflector 16, as shown in the figures,serves to improve stirring significantly. In particular, it has beenfound that the profile shown in the figures, where the edge 16A presentsa downward slope from the hub 12 down to a low point 25, after which itforms a projection 26 and subsequently again follows a downward slope tothe proximity of the bottom 2A is particularly effective.

The description above refers to making french fries out of pieces offresh potato together with added oil. Nevertheless, the steps describedcan be applied to pieces of deep-frozen potato, and also to “oven frenchfries” that are pre-cooked and pre-impregnated with oil. Under suchcircumstances, there is not necessarily any need to add external oil.

When the user desires to obtain pan-fried vegetables, instead of frenchfries, the procedure that is to be followed is exactly the same as thatdescribed above, except that the user fastens the scraper member 21 ontothe blade 8 prior to positioning the blade within the receptacle 2. Thescraper member 21 then serves to detach any pieces of vegetable thatmight become stuck to the receptacle 2.

The invention also provides as such a method of cooking food, preferablyat home, suitable for being implemented using the appliance 1 of theinvention.

In the method of the invention, the food for cooking is placed within areceptacle 2, a blade 8 being installed within the receptacle 2 for thepurpose of stirring the food.

The method of the invention comprises at least one step i), in which, byestablishing relative rotation between the blade 8 and the receptacle 2,at least a fraction of said food is turned over in a direction D thatpresents, on the plane of rotary motion, a majority component that isradial. In the examples shown in the figures, said fraction of said foodis preferably turned over the center of the receptacle 2.

Advantageously, the method of the invention includes a step ii) prior tostep i), in which said fraction of the food is raised, preferably withthe help of the blade 8, as a result of the blade 8 being set intorotation relative to the receptacle 2. In other words, the fraction ofthe food for cooking is preferably first raised and then turned over.

Advantageously, the method of the invention includes a step iii) inwhich fat is inserted into the receptacle 2.

In step iii), the quantity of fat added is preferably substantially justsufficient for coating the food without it being immersed in a bath ofoil.

Advantageously, step i) and preferably also step ii) is/areadvantageously repeated, at least until the food is substantiallycoated, preferably uniformly, in a film of fat.

The food is preferably in the form of a plurality of pieces presenting aunit size of the order of that of a french fry. Advantageously, themethod of the invention thus constitutes a method of preparing frenchfries.

Nevertheless, it is entirely possible to envisage the method of theinvention being applied to obtaining cooked food other than frenchfries, for example for obtaining pan-fried vegetables, or for obtainingfood that has been sautéed, roasted, or indeed cooked without any fat.

Above, there is a description of a method in which the food is movedtowards the periphery and then turned over back towards the center.

Nevertheless, it is entirely possible to envisage adopting a“symmetrical” motion. The invention thus also provides a method ofcooking food in which pieces of food for cooking are placed within areceptacle 2, a blade 8 being installed within the receptacle 2, andsaid method comprising at least one step i) in which at least a fractionof said food is turned over towards the periphery of the receptacle 2 bysetting the blade 8 and the receptacle 2 into relative rotation.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds industrial application in the design, manufacture,and use of cooking appliances for preparing or cooking food.

1. An appliance (1) for cooking food, the appliance comprising firstly areceptacle (2) for containing the food and secondly a blade (8) placedwithin the receptacle (2), said receptacle (2) and blade (8) beingdesigned to be driven with relative rotary motion so as to stir the foodin the receptacle (2), the appliance being characterized in that theblade (8) includes turnover means (13) shaped to act under the effect ofthe relative rotary motion to cause at least a fraction of the food toturn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane of therotary motion, a majority component that is radial.
 2. An applianceaccording to claim 1, in which said turnover means (13) comprises aturnover surface (13A) along which said fraction of the food can bemoved under the effect of the relative rotary motion, said turnoversurface (13A) presenting an area that decreases going rearwards relativeto the travel direction of the blade (8) relative to the receptacle (2),so as to cause said fraction of the food to turn over.
 3. An appliance(1) according to claim 2 in which said lifter and turnover surfaces(13A, 13B) substantially coincide.
 4. An appliance (1) according toclaim 1 in which said blade (8) includes a lateral deflector (9) forminga slope extending from the turnover means (13) along said turnoverdirection (D) so that said fraction of the food turning over under theeffect of the turnover means (13) turns over along said lateraldeflector (9).
 5. An appliance (1) according to claim 1 in which saidblade (8) includes lifter means (130) shaped to act under the effect ofthe relative rotary motion, to lift at least a fraction of the food. 6.An appliance (1) according to claim 5, in which said turnover means (13)and the lifter means (130) are arranged relative to each other so as toact, under the effect of the relative rotary motion, to lift at least afraction of said food and then to cause said fraction to turn over alongsaid turnover direction (D) that presents a majority component that isradial.
 7. An appliance (1) according to claim 5, in which said turnovermeans (13) and the lifter means (130) are arranged relative to eachother to act under the effect of the relative rotary motionsubstantially simultaneously to lift at least a fraction of the food andto turn over said fraction in said turnover direction (D) presenting amajority component that is radial.
 8. An appliance (1) according toclaim 5 in which said lifter means (130) comprise a lifter surface (13B)sloping rearwards relative to the travel direction of the blade (8)relative to the receptacle (2) to lift said at least one fraction of thefood under the effect of the relative rotary motion.
 9. An appliance (1)according to claim 5 in which said turnover means (13) and the liftermeans (130) are positioned substantially towards the periphery of thereceptacle (2), the turnover means (13) being shaped to act under theeffect of the relative rotary motion, to turn said fraction of the foodover substantially towards the center of the receptacle (2).
 10. Anappliance (1) according to claim 1 in which said blade (8) includesmeans (15) for pushing the food towards the turnover means (13) underthe effect of the relative rotary motion.
 11. An appliance (1) accordingto claim 10, in which said means (15) for pushing the food towards theturnover means (13) comprise a front deflector (16) presenting a leadingedge tapering towards the turnover means (13).
 12. An appliance (1)according to claim 10 in which said blade (8) includes a passage (200)for the food, which passage is arranged between the means (15) forpushing the food and the turnover means (13).
 13. An appliance (1)according to claim 12, in which said means (15) for pushing the food andthe turnover means (13) form between them a notch corresponding to saidpassage (200) and presenting, in projection onto a vertical plane, asubstantially V-shape.
 14. An appliance (1) according to claim 13 inwhich the point where the limbs of the V-shape join is situatedsubstantially in the range ⅗ths to ⅘ths of the distance between the endsof the blade (8) in the horizontal plane going from the center towardsthe periphery of the receptacle (2).
 15. An appliance (1) according toclaim 1 in which said blade (8) comprises a hub (12) and at least afirst arm (18) extending between an inner first end (18A) and an outerfirst end (18B), the inner first end (18A) being secured to the hub (12)while the outer first end (18B) is secured to the turnover means (13).16. An appliance (1) according to claim 15 in which said means (15) forpushing the food is secured to said first arm (18) and is interposedbetween said inner first end (18A) and said outer first end (18B). 17.An appliance (1) according to claim 15 in which said blade (8) includesa second arm (19) extending between an inner second end (19A) and anouter second end (19B), the inner second end (19A) being secured to thehub (12), the means (15) for pushing the food being secured to saidsecond arm (19) and being interposed between said inner second end (19A)and said outer second end (19B).
 18. An appliance (1) according to claim1 and including an obstacle (20) mounted within the appliance (1) sothat the blade (8) is movable relative to the obstacle (20) under theeffect of said relative rotary motion, said obstacle (20) beingpositioned to come into contact with at least a fraction of the food, soas to prevent a block of food that is moving substantially as a wholefrom accumulating against the blade (8).
 19. An appliance (1) accordingto claim 18, in which said receptacle (2) comprises a bottom (2A) fromwhich there rises a side wall (2B), the obstacle (20) being mountedsecurely to the side wall (2B) inside the receptacle (2).
 20. Anappliance (1) according to claim 1 in which said receptacle (2)comprises a bottom (2A) from which there rises a side wall (2B), theappliance (1) including a scraper member (21) for sweeping over the sidewall (2B) under the effect of the relative rotary motion in order todetach therefrom any food that becomes stuck to said side wall (2B). 21.An appliance (1) according to claim 20, in which said scraper member(21) is mounted removably on the blade (8).
 22. An appliance (1)according to claim 1 in which said appliance also comprises a main body(3) within which the receptacle (2) is mounted stationary, the blade (8)being mounted to move in rotation relative to the receptacle (2) and tothe main body (3).
 23. An appliance (1) according to claim 1 in whichsaid appliance also comprises a dry fryer, the receptacle (2) and theblade (8) forming means for automatically coating the food in a film offat by mixing said food with the fat.
 24. A method of cooking food inwhich the food for cooking is placed within a receptacle (2), a blade(8) being installed within the receptacle (2), said method comprisingthe step of i) establishing relative rotation between the blade (8) andthe receptacle (2), in which at least a fraction of said food is causedto turn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane ofthe rotary motion, a majority component that is radial.
 25. A methodaccording to claim 24, and including at least a step ii) prior to stepi), in which said fraction of pieces of food is lifted by impartingrelative rotation between the blade (8) and the receptacle (2).
 26. Amethod according to claim 25, and including a step iii) in which fat isinserted into the receptacle.
 27. A method according to claim 26, inwhich, in step iii), a quantity of fat is inserted that is substantiallyjust sufficient to coat the food without it becoming immersed in a bathof oil.
 28. A method according to claim 26 in which step i) is repeatedat least until the food is substantially coated, preferably uniformly,in a film of fat.
 29. A method according to claim 24 in which the foodis in the form of a plurality of pieces presenting a unit size of theorder of the size of a french fry.
 30. A method of cooking food in whichthe food for cooking is placed within a receptacle (2), a blade (8)being installed within the receptacle (2), said blade including turnovermeans, said method comprising at least a step i) in which, byestablishing relative rotation between the blade (8) and the receptacle(2), at least a fraction of said food is caused by the turnover means toturn over in a turnover direction (D) that presents, in the plane of therotary motion, a majority component that is radial.